The Winter's Tale: Act 2, Scene 2

    comedy

    A prison.

    Scene Summary

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    Paulina visits the prison and learns that Hermione has given birth to a daughter. She plans to take the baby to Leontes, convinced that the sight of the child will soften him.

    Enter PAULINA, a Gentleman, and Attendants
    PAULINA
    The keeper of the prison, call to him;
    let him have knowledge who I am.
    Exit Gentleman
    Good lady,
    No court in Europe is too good for thee;
    What dost thou then in prison?
    Re-enter Gentleman, with the Gaoler
    Now, good sir,
    You know me, do you not?
    Gaoler
    For a worthy lady
    And one whom much I honour.
    PAULINA
    Pray you then,
    Conduct me to the queen.
    Gaoler
    I may not, madam:
    To the contrary I have express commandment.
    PAULINA
    Here's ado,
    To lock up honesty and honour from
    The access of gentle visitors!
    Is't lawful, pray you,
    To see her women? any of them? Emilia?
    Gaoler
    So please you, madam,
    To put apart these your attendants, I
    Shall bring Emilia forth.
    PAULINA
    I pray now, call her.
    Withdraw yourselves.
    Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants
    Gaoler
    And, madam,
    I must be present at your conference.
    PAULINA
    Well, be't so, prithee.
    Exit Gaoler
    Here's such ado to make no stain a stain
    As passes colouring.
    Re-enter Gaoler, with EMILIA
    Dear gentlewoman,
    How fares our gracious lady?
    EMILIA
    As well as one so great and so forlorn
    May hold together: on her frights and griefs,
    Which never tender lady hath born greater,
    She is something before her time deliver'd.
    PAULINA
    A boy?
    EMILIA
    A daughter, and a goodly babe,
    Lusty and like to live: the queen receives
    Much comfort in't; says 'My poor prisoner,
    I am innocent as you.'
    PAULINA
    I dare be sworn
    These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king,
    beshrew them!
    He must be told on't, and he shall: the office
    Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me:
    If I prove honey-mouth'd let my tongue blister
    And never to my red-look'd anger be
    The trumpet any more. Pray you, Emilia,
    Commend my best obedience to the queen:
    If she dares trust me with her little babe,
    I'll show't the king and undertake to be
    Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know
    How he may soften at the sight o' the child:
    The silence often of pure innocence
    Persuades when speaking fails.
    EMILIA
    Most worthy madam,
    Your honour and your goodness is so evident
    That your free undertaking cannot miss
    A thriving issue: there is no lady living
    So meet for this great errand. Please your ladyship
    To visit the next room, I'll presently
    Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer;
    Who but to-day hammer'd of this design,
    But durst not tempt a minister of honour,
    Lest she should be denied.
    PAULINA
    Tell her, Emilia.
    I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't
    As boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted
    I shall do good.
    EMILIA
    Now be you blest for it!
    I'll to the queen: please you,
    come something nearer.
    Gaoler
    Madam, if't please the queen to send the babe,
    I know not what I shall incur to pass it,
    Having no warrant.
    PAULINA
    You need not fear it, sir:
    This child was prisoner to the womb and is
    By law and process of great nature thence
    Freed and enfranchised, not a party to
    The anger of the king nor guilty of,
    If any be, the trespass of the queen.
    Gaoler
    I do believe it.
    PAULINA
    Do not you fear: upon mine honour,
    I will stand betwixt you and danger.
    Exeunt